Delaware State University (DESU) Online MSW

Delaware State University (DSU) offers an entirely online Master of Social Work (MSW) program through its Department of Social Work, housed within the Wesley College of Health and Behavioral Sciences. The program has one concentration — Advanced Generalist Practice — which prepares students for advanced practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities across micro, mezzo, and macro levels. The curriculum is grounded in five departmental underpinnings: a Black Perspective for Social Work Practice, the Strengths Perspective, the Empowerment Perspective, a Rural Perspective, and a Prevention Perspective. The program emphasizes cultural diversity, global awareness, and the social, economic, and political dimensions of issues such as poverty, health disparities, racism, and oppression.

The online program is entirely asynchronous — students are not required to be online at a specific time and can complete coursework according to their own schedules. Field practicums are arranged locally. Graduates are eligible to sit for entry-level graduate licensing exams as required by their home states.

DSU's MSW program has been continuously accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since its original affirmation, covering both its traditional face-to-face and exclusively online curricula. The university is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). DSU is also a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) and the only state-assisted HBCU in Delaware.

Program Overview

Department: Department of Social Work, Wesley College of Health and Behavioral Sciences

Degree Types: Regular Admit (60 credit hours); Advanced Standing (30 credit hours)

Concentrations: Advanced Generalist Practice

Program Structure: Entirely online with local field placements (no campus visits required)

Instruction Methods: Fully asynchronous — no set login times; weekly due dates

Contact Information

• Website: DESU Social Work Programs
• Phone: 302-736-2565
• General inquiries: SocialWorkInfo@desu.edu

Program Information – Traditional Standing Students (Regular Admit)

The Regular Admit track is designed for students with a bachelor's degree in any field other than social work. The 60-credit curriculum begins with foundation-level coursework covering generalist practice, human behavior and the social environment, social policy, research, and field practicum, and then advances to concentration-level coursework that builds on those competencies.

Program Requirements

• Field Education Requirements: Two student-selected internship practicums (specific hour counts not listed on program page — contact program for current requirements)
• Number of Credits Required: 60 credit hours

Program Length

• Program Options: Full-time or part-time
• Program Length: Full-time — approximately 1.5 years (four semesters including summers, taking 15 credits per semester); part-time — six to eight semesters
• Start Dates: Fall and Spring

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university in any field
• Official transcripts from all institutions attended (including any community college)
• Three letters of reference from college professors or professionals (references from friends or family members are not accepted)
• Personal statement essay
• Completed graduate admissions application (submitted online through the Graduate, Adult and Extended Studies program)
• GRE: Not required

Program Information – Advanced Standing Students

The Advanced Standing track is designed for applicants who hold a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program. Students may receive up to 28 credits applied toward the MSW degree at the time of admission if they meet Advanced Standing requirements. Applicants who do not meet full Advanced Standing requirements but hold a CSWE-accredited BSW may alternatively be admitted under Regular status and receive advanced standing credits for qualifying undergraduate foundation courses with grades of B or better earned within the last five years (excluding practice courses and field practicum).

Program Requirements

• Field Education Requirements: One advanced internship practicum
• Number of Credits Required: 30 credit hours

Program Length

• Program Options: Full-time
• Program Length: Approximately 12 months full-time
• Start Dates: Fall and Spring

Admission Requirements

• BSW from a CSWE-accredited program (with grades of B or better in foundation courses within the last five years for advanced standing credit consideration)
• Official transcripts from all institutions attended
• Three letters of reference from college professors or professionals
• Personal statement essay
• Completed graduate admissions application
• GRE: Not required

Delaware State University's MSW program information was last updated in March 2026. For more information, visit the university's website above.

If you have additional information about this program, email us at contactus@onlinemswprograms.com.